Anthony Joshua: Any time’s a superb time to combat Deontay Wilder

As quickly as former two-time unified heavyweight champ Anthony Joshua knocked out late-substitute Robert Helenius in Spherical 7 of their major occasion at O2 Enviornment in London on Saturday, the topic (posed by the media) turned to a much-hoped-for showdown with former WBC titleholder Deontay Wilder.

The 33-year-old British celebrity didn’t keep away from the query, however he didn’t make the anticipated conflict with the American KO king the be-all-end-all or decide to a time-frame, though his promoter did, in the course of the post-fight press convention.

Then-undefeated Wilder and Joshua had been featured on the quilt of the July 2018 subject of The Ring.

“Any time’s a superb time to combat [Wilder]” mentioned the previous holder of the IBF, WBA and WBO heavyweight titles. “It’s solely a combat. It don’t matter who it’s. It might’ve been Wilder eight years in the past or Wilder now. It’s what it’s on the finish of the day.

“There’s no fear to me when it’s. I’m simply joyful that we are able to get the combat going, and I believe individuals respect that. I’m doing my greatest to maintain heavyweight boxing on the map.”

Added his promoter Eddie Hearn: “We imagine he can go and beat Deontay Wilder. Prince Khalid and Abilities Problem (the Saudi patron and group that might bankroll the combat) are right here tonight. We’ll look to attempt to shut that deal over the subsequent couple of days. Josh is prepared for that combat.

“That’s the ambition of the group. Whether or not you again Josh, whether or not you assume he can do it or he can’t, issues have modified. He’s now a mature heavyweight. I do know everybody desires to see first, second, third-round KOs, however in opposition to Helenius he took his time and delivered one of many knockouts of the yr.”